Encouragement Through God's Word. Empowerment Through God's Spirit.

“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 Written by Joanie Pegram Spring 2016 Last Saturday morning, one of my colleagues unexpectedly and peacefully went home to be with the Lord. One moment she was enjoying life as usual, and the next she was experiencing true…

“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity…seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil,… beareth all things,… endureth all things.” 1 Corinthians 13 “Mommeeee!! I neeeeeeed yoooouu!” For the third time in five minutes, I had been summoned in this way. The first time was for an “accident” in the bathroom. “No…

“Nothing is more expensive than a missed opportunity” (Jackson Brown, Jr.). Have you ever regretted a missed opportunity? I have—too many, as a matter of fact. Probably one of the greatest opportunities we have as believers is to give someone the good news, the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we took…

It was an ordinary day in northern Arizona…that is if any day in northern Arizona can be considered ordinary. The crisp, brrrr-chill mornings with the smell of pine needles greeted us every day. Each morning as we walked out the door of our home, the scene was breathtaking. The majestic San Francisco Peaks and the…

When we moved into the little house at the edge of the Vienna Woods, I had no idea what lay beyond our doorstep. As the kids and I ventured up a path through the trees, I saw the tower. It was tall and rather narrow with concrete walls, edged with stone work, curving upward in…

“I was BORED of having boys when we lived in Oklahoma!” “Mom, Ezra said I can’t marry Renee when we grow up! Is that true?” “Let me hold ‘Nee!” “Renee is a cutie-wootie.” Imagine these adoring statements being said in the endearing voices belonging to four little boys, and you’re picturing what I am blessed…

I’m sitting here in Jerusalem. It is the night before the opening of the new embassy. The streets are packed and the air filled with excitement as it seems as all of Jerusalem is gathering at the Western Wall (otherwise known as the Wailing Wall). Young and old, with lots of strollers, gather and the…

I have a hard time waiting, so it seems that is the area in which God has continued to test and strengthen me. My husband, Tim, and I were in a relationship for seven years before we were married in 2005. My wedding day was all I had hoped and waited for. I was done waiting…or…

I grew up in a strong Christian home and community and attended college and grad school in my hometown, so I was surrounded by good Godly friends for the first 25 years or so of my life. However, since we have been in the army, Christian friends aren’t as common. That doesn’t mean I haven’t…

Some lessons are just hard to learn. It often seems as if I can never do it right. Sure, you may not see it. From the outside, I look like a fun, loving person who gets along with everyone—even perfect strangers! But on the inside, it’s a different story. I have my own agenda and…